Tea Party protestors rally outside of the Stamford Marriott Monday afternoon where President Obama made an appearance. Hour Photo / Danielle Robinson

Tea Party protestors rally outside of the Stamford Marriott Monday afternoon where President Obama made an appearance. Hour Photo / Danielle Robinson

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Tea Party protestors rally outside of the Stamford Marriott Monday afternoon where President Obama made an appearance. Hour Photo / Danielle Robinson

Tea Party protestors rally outside of the Stamford Marriott Monday afternoon where President Obama made an appearance. Hour Photo / Danielle Robinson

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President Obama attends fundraiser in his honor at Stamford Marriott

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STAMFORD — President Barack Obama made an appearance in Stamford Monday afternoon to deliver remarks during a $500-a-head, sold-out fundraiser at the Stamford Marriott Hotel.

The fundraiser proceeds in Stamford will go to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee of Obama for America, the Democratic National Committee and several state Democratic parties, according to a campaign official.

Stamford Democratic City Committee (DCC) chairman John Mallozzi, who attended the event on Monday, said he was honored President Obama came to Stamford.

“It’s always an honor when the President of the United States comes to Stamford, even if it’s just for a fundraiser,” said Mallozzi. “It’s a chance for local people to see and support him.”

Mallozzi said he doesn’t know of any other member of the DCC who was expected to attend the event, but he knows many Stamford residents who support Obama and were thrilled he was in town.

“I know a lot of people are excited that he’s here,” said Mallozzi. “And I wish that Obama had time to make a stop for the public to see him, but times are tough, and to run a campaign takes time and money.”

Stamford resident and Obama supporter Senphin Adai was standing behind the Stamford Marriott with a camera Monday afternoon, hoping to get a photo of President Obama before he spoke at the fundraiser.

“I was hoping to just get a quick glimpse of the President,” said Adai. “He inspires me. I think he is a good leader, and I hope he wins in the fall.”

DCC vice chairwoman Kate Urbank said she couldn’t attend the event because it was sold out before she had a chance to buy a ticket, but she was excited Obama was in Stamford.

“It’s a joy and honor to have President Obama in Stamford,” said Urbank. “The people who live in Stamford are going to vote for him in the fall, and I have no doubt he will be our President again. His message is strong and spot on. People understand that he is our best choice this fall.”

Stamford Police Chief Robert Nivakoff said police planned to close some roads in the downtown area for Obama’s visit, and they were working with Secret Service agents to provide security for him.

“We’re going try to keep lane closures to a minimum, but I would say expect delays in the downtown area,” said Nivakoff before the fundraiser. “I would say avoid the downtown area if you can.”

However, not everyone was happy President Obama was in Stamford.

Members of the Republican and Tea parties protested against Obama across the street from the Stamford Marriott, holding signs that read “honk if you hate Obama.”

Nick Givas, a student at Fairfield University and a member of Fairfield University’s College Republicans, said he does not believe Obama is making decisions in the best interest of younger generations.

“I don’t think that Obama is a good leader,” said Givas. “He makes decisions for political gain. He doesn’t make decisions for the best interest of the people, especially for younger generations. I don’t think that he really cares about our generation, and I don’t think that young people understand that this election is not just something they have to deal with for a few years. it’s something that is going to affect the rest of their lives.”

Jack Chiaramonte, Republican chairman of the Norwalk Board of Education, said he believes Obama is destroying America.

“This is not the America I grew up in, and it’s not the America I want to leave for my kids,” said Chiaramonte. “It’s time for us to take our state and our country back.”

Sean Murphy, a Danbury resident, said Obama is one of the main reasons the country’s economy is failing.

“Obama stands for the polar opposite of what I and every other businessman stands for,” said Murphy. “You simply cannot spend more than you make — it’s common sense. The country is broke and Obama needs to get out.”

Adam Fetcher, deputy national press secretary for the president's re-election campaign, said Obama believes "there are steps we can take to support a strong business climate, like investing in education, energy, innovation and infrastructure."

The president made that point during his address in Stamford, promising that "after a decade at war, I think it's time to do some nation-building at home." He said he'd like to spend those resources on schools, roads and employing veterans.

Obama later urged the crowd to help him "finish what we started in 2008" and "show the world why the United States of America is the greatest nation on earth."

Obama also attended a $35,800-per-person dinner at the Westport home of movie producer Harvey Weinstein in Westport Monday night.

The two events are expected to add about $2 million to Obama's campaign account.

Obama's Republican rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, has raised about $4.8 million from Connecticut residents during this presidential election cycle, compared with $2.9 million for Obama, according to Federal Election Commission records.